Plant supplements and related methods

Abstract

Plant supplements that promote plant growth and production and aid in the protection of plants from environmental stress factors such as wind, heat, cold and drought are disclosed. The plant supplements comprise calcium, magnesium and plant-available silica, most typically in a single liquid non-coagulating solution. Optionally, the plant supplements may further comprise iron, nitrogen, willow tree bark extract, humic acid, fulvic acid, aloe vera, trace minerals, electrolytes, beneficial microbes and/or other non-plant food ingredients. Aspects of the present invention also provide methods of formulating and administering plant supplements for promoting plant growth and production, and for protecting plants from environmental stress factors.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A non-coagulating, aqueous liquid solution plant supplement for promoting plant growth and production, comprising:
 silicon dioxide, wherein the silicon dioxide is amorphous, water soluble, immediately bioavailable and comprises at least 0.15% and up to 4.5% by weight of the total weight of the plant supplement; 
 calcium nitrate; 
 and magnesium acetate; 
 wherein the silicon dioxide, calcium nitrate and magnesium acetate are blended in a packaged container. 
 
     
     
       2. The plant supplement of  claim 1 , wherein the silicon dioxide comprises less than 0.50% by weight of the total weight of the plant supplement. 
     
     
       3. The plant supplement of  claim 1 , wherein the silicon dioxide is 0.23% by weight, the calcium nitrate is 4.61% by weight, and the magnesium acetate is 1.26% per weight, of the total weight of the plant supplement. 
     
     
       4. The plant supplement of  claim 1 , further comprising iron. 
     
     
       5. The plant supplement of  claim 1 , further comprising nitrogen. 
     
     
       6. The plant supplement of  claim 1 , further comprising willow tree bark extract, humic acid and/or fulvic acid. 
     
     
       7. A non-coagulating, aqueous liquid solution for promoting plant growth and production, the solution comprising:
 at least 0.15% by weight of silicon dioxide and up to 4.5%, wherein the silicon dioxide is amorphous, immediately bioavailable and water soluble;
 at least 2.00% by weight of calcium, wherein the calcium is from calcium nitrate; 
 at least 1.00% by weight of magnesium, wherein the magnesium is from magnesium acetate; 
 of the total weight of the liquid solution; 
 
 wherein the silicon dioxide, calcium nitrate and magnesium acetate are blended in a packaged container. 
 
     
     
       8. The liquid solution of  claim 7 , wherein the silicon dioxide is 0.23% by weight, of the total weight of the liquid solution. 
     
     
       9. The liquid solution of  claim 7 , wherein the calcium is 4.61% by weight, of the total weight of the liquid solution. 
     
     
       10. The liquid solution of  claim 7 , wherein the magnesium is 1.26% by weight, of the total weight of the liquid solution. 
     
     
       11. The liquid solution of  claim 7 , further comprising at least 0.10% by weight of iron, of the total weight of the liquid solution. 
     
     
       12. The liquid solution of  claim 7 , further comprising at least 1.00% by weight of nitrogen, of the total weight of the liquid solution. 
     
     
       13. A method of administering a non-coagulating, aqueous liquid solution plant supplement, the method comprising:
 (i) mixing a quantity of the plant supplement in water, wherein the plant supplement comprises: 
 at least 0.15% and up to 4.50% by weight of silicon dioxide, wherein the silicon dioxide is amorphous, immediately bioavailable and water soluble; 
 at least 2.00% by weight of calcium, wherein the calcium is from calcium nitrate; 
 at least 1.00% by weight of magnesium, wherein the magnesium is from magnesium acetate; 
 of the total weight of the plant supplement; and 
 wherein the silicon dioxide, calcium nitrate and magnesium acetate are blended in a packaged container; and 
 (ii) the non-coagulating, aqueous liquid solution plant supplement plants with mixture. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the quantity is at least 2 ml per gallon of the water for seedlings and cuttings. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the quantity is at least 6 ml per gallon of the water for early vegetation. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the quantity is at least 8 ml per gallon of the water for late vegetation. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the quantity is at least 10 ml per gallon of the water for early or late flowering. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the quantity is at least 12 ml per gallon of the water for mid flowering. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the plant supplement comprises 0.23% by weight of silicon dioxide, 4.61% by weight of calcium nitrate, and 1.26% by weight of magnesium acetate, of the total weight of the plant supplement.